Land of The Free: American Political Roleplay (OOC V)

[Titanne]

Quick question here, but I'm curious about something, why might you guys think both Lavan and Sanabal thought up Progressives for characters who hope to become the Democratic Senate Nominee in Maine?

I'm curious myself becuase when I think of successful statewide Democrats in Maine, my first though doesn't go towards Progressives

I think Maine is more progressive than people realize, I think part of why Gideon lost was that she refused to take any progressive stances and there was minimal enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy.

Plus she was uniquely weak in that she was born outside of Maine and lived in one of the most commercialized towns in the state.

I think gideon lost because she wasn't folksy enough and that collins was successful in labelling her as a corporate mainstream democrat because of it. Gideon wasn't able to brand herself as an actual moderate in my opinion.

[Lavan Tiri]

Quick question here, but I'm curious about something, why might you guys think both Lavan and Sanabal thought up Progressives for characters who hope to become the Democratic Senate Nominee in Maine?

I'm curious myself becuase when I think of successful statewide Democrats in Maine, my first though doesn't go towards Progressives

I think Maine is more progressive than people realize, I think part of why Gideon lost was that she refused to take any progressive stances and there was minimal enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy.

Plus she was uniquely weak in that she was born outside of Maine and lived in one of the most commercialized towns in the state.

Oh yea, Sarah Gideon isn't a great example. She literally ran the textbook centrist Dem campaign and had no positive enthusiasm

[Kargintina the Third]

Quick question here, but I'm curious about something, why might you guys think both Lavan and Sanabal thought up Progressives for characters who hope to become the Democratic Senate Nominee in Maine?

I'm curious myself becuase when I think of successful statewide Democrats in Maine, my first though doesn't go towards Progressives

I think Maine is more progressive than people realize, I think part of why Gideon lost was that she refused to take any progressive stances and there was minimal enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy.

Plus she was uniquely weak in that she was born outside of Maine and lived in one of the most commercialized towns in the state.

Savage contributed to the loss for sure

[Titanne]

Savage contributed to the loss but Gideon was a bad candidate all around. Maine is all about personality and brand and being down to earth and gideon... really wasn't a good candidate all around because she didn't have any of those traits, while she was up against a juggernaut.

[Bruke]

Slim would know her! What a pal.

Oh they would probably be pals.

Could you do me a solid and mention the Upper Valley Partnership in her app so it aligns with Slim’s app?

It’s canon that they worked together on that, it’s basically an economic development initiative focused on the I-91 corridor, especially Norwich in Vermont and Hanover in NH.

[Sanabel]

Savage contributed to the loss but Gideon was a bad candidate all around. Maine is all about personality and brand and being down to earth and gideon... really wasn't a good candidate all around because she didn't have any of those traits, while she was up against a juggernaut.

I don’t think Gideon’s lack of actual principles and inability to generate base enthusiasm helped her at all. I think it goes beyond personality- Collins is one of the most disliked Senators in the country.

[Titanne]

Savage contributed to the loss but Gideon was a bad candidate all around. Maine is all about personality and brand and being down to earth and gideon... really wasn't a good candidate all around because she didn't have any of those traits, while she was up against a juggernaut.

I don’t think Gideon’s lack of actual principles and inability to generate base enthusiasm helped her at all. I think it goes beyond personality- Collins is one of the most disliked Senators in the country.

But I'd contend that she (Collins) benefited the most (beyond maybe the opponents of Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell) from the sort of "socialism scare" that spooked some moderate voters. Gideon was just kind of a blank slate so the Republicans had a very easy time painting her as whatever the heck they wanted to.

[Kargintina the Third]

Whats the chance Collins becomes an independent and caucuses with Dems if the GOP only win one Georgia run-off? I've heard rumors that possible

[Sanabel]

I don’t think Gideon’s lack of actual principles and inability to generate base enthusiasm helped her at all. I think it goes beyond personality- Collins is one of the most disliked Senators in the country.

But I'd contend that she benefited the most (beyond maybe the opponents of Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell) from the sort of "socialism scare" that spooked some moderate voters. Gideon was just kind of a blank slate so the Republicans had a very easy painting her as whatever the heck they wanted to.

On what grounds? I can’t remember Collins painting her as a socialist once.

[New Cobastheia]

Slim would know her! What a pal.

Oh they would probably be pals.

Don't mind me but Eliza just pulled up to their flat with and is asking if she can take the spare bedroom, she'll pay the rent she swears

[Sanabel]

Whats the chance Collins becomes an independent and caucuses with Dems if the GOP only win one Georgia run-off? I've heard rumors that possible

If she voted for Kavanaugh and went through all of that shit to win re-election I doubt she will do it.

[Titanne]

Whats the chance Collins becomes an independent and caucuses with Dems if the GOP only win one Georgia run-off? I've heard rumors that possible

If she voted for Kavanaugh and went through all of that shit to win re-election I doubt she will do it.

this ^

I've seen her floated for the cabinet but she wouldn't right after the re-election bid

which is why I say

Whats the chance Collins becomes an independent and caucuses with Dems if the GOP only win one Georgia run-off? I've heard rumors that possible

I think what's more likely is that Biden lures Pat Toomey away with a Cabinet post and lets Tom Wolf appoint his successor.

[New Cobastheia]

If we're talking about why we think Gideon lost, well post of the new articles I've read on the subject seem to be saying it had to do with the sheer overbearingness of Gideon's campaign and her mail-fliers

[Sanabel]

If we're talking about why we think Gideon lost, well post of the new articles I've read on the subject seem to be saying it had to do with the sheer overbearingness of Gideon's campaign and her mail-fliers

How do you mean

[Bruke]

Oh they would probably be pals.

Don't mind me but Eliza just pulled up to their flat with and is asking if she can take the spare bedroom, she'll pay the rent she swears

Slim’s summer house?

[Titanne]

If we're talking about why we think Gideon lost, well post of the new articles I've read on the subject seem to be saying it had to do with the sheer overbearingness of Gideon's campaign and her mail-fliers

How do you mean

I think they mean she was like

obnoxious and repetetive in her messaging

[New Cobastheia]

If we're talking about why we think Gideon lost, well post of the new articles I've read on the subject seem to be saying it had to do with the sheer overbearingness of Gideon's campaign and her mail-fliers

How do you mean

Like a lot of the articles put it along the lines of, "People were getting two or three flyers a day from the Gideon campaign bashing Collins" and "People trusted Collins and trusted she'd go back to being a Moderate"

[Jovuistan]

Anyone else having problems adding images?

[Louisianan]

Anyone else having problems adding images?

I am, I was trying to write another one of Linda's speeches.

[Lavan Tiri]

(Image)

---

Character Information Sheet

NS Nation Name: Lavan Tiri

Character Name: Alexander Lawrence "Alec" Matthews

Character Gender: Male

Character Age: 60--born July 4th, 1959

Character Height: 6'4

Character Weight: 190 pounds

Character Position/Role/Job:
- Representative for Maine's 1st Congressional District (since 2008)
- Portland City Councilman for the At-Large District (2004-2008)
- Portland Fire Department Firefighter (1993-2005)
- United States Marine Corps Infantry (1977-1993)

Appearance: Nicolas Cage

Character State of Origin: Maine

Character State of Residence: Maine

Character Party Affiliation:
- Republican (1977-2001)
- Independent (2001-2003)
- Democratic (since 2003)

Main Strengths:
- Blue-collar background and work, plus military service
- Masculine image and personality appeals to Republicans and conservative independents
- Strong progressive policies, especially economically, endear him to blue-collar workers and the Baginski-Murphy wing of the party
- Safe Democratic district
- Has never taken money from Super PACs or fundraising organizations, instead running a grassroots campaign funded by individual contributions.

Main Weaknesses:
- Linked with the more wealthy, urban 1st District, which could hurt his popularity in rural or less wealthy areas.
- Evolving social views and political positions can be used to paint him as a flip-flopper
- Friction with the younger, diverse progressive wing of the party, due to being an old white guy and some of his views
- Tendency to be blunt, crass, and rude.
- Friction with anti-gun Democrats
- His tendency to buck the party and vote his conscience no matter what hasn't made him the most popular with leadership at times.
- Strained relationship with Democratic establishment due to primarying his predecessor.
- Was a Republican for most of his life
- Multiple divorces.

Biography: Matthews was born in Bangor, Maine, on Independence Day in 1959, to Edward Alexander Matthews, (1930-1962) a Korean War veteran and police officer, and his second wife, Jeanne Charlotte Matthews, nee Lewis (1937-present) a homemaker. Alec was the 6th of 8 children Edward had with a total of 3 women--he had been married to Laurie Schrader from 1950-1952 and had two daughters, Andrea Ruth (1950-2016) and Gillian Roberta (1951-present), before Laurie died in a car crash in 1952 while pregnant with their third child. In 1955, Edward married Jeanne in a shotgun wedding, and between 1955 and 1960 they had five children: Edward Alexander Matthews, jr. (1955-1997); Paul Richard Matthews (1957-2009), Isabelle Marie Matthews (1957-present), Alec (1959-present), and Sean Thomas Matthews (1960-present).

Life in the Matthews household was turbulent--Edward was stricken with PTSD from his military service, and took it out in physically, emotionally, and verbally violent ways on his wife and children, often beating them and on occasion neglecting to feed the children. Jeanne had to rely on the kindness of neighbors and friends to get by many times, and would frequently take the children to her parents' home to get them away from Edward. Alec has few memories of his father, however, since Edward died when he was 3--while Jeanne was at her parents' with the children, he shot himself in the head. His body was found two days later when the family returned home.

Jeanne, as a single widow with 7 children to raise, took up a job working at the courthouse as a stenographer. She held that job from 1962 until her retirement in 2007 at age 70. Barely 3 months after Edwards death, she married Andrew Black (1932-2017), a science teacher at Bangor High School. Black has been the only father Alec has known for his entire life--a kinder, gentler man than Edward Matthews, to be sure.

Alec was an entirely average student in high school, but a highly-skilled and regarded football player. When he graduated in 1977, he was courted by several colleges with athletic scholarships, but he'd decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, in order to get out of Maine and see some of the world.

Alec left basic training as a Lance Corporal, and was assigned to the Echo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, based out of Des Moines. He was noted for his natural command skills and willingness to do ugly, dirty, and awful jobs without grumbling or complaint.

In 1978, on a Christmas visit home to Bangor, Alec married his high school sweetheart, Linda McDonald. She moved to Des Moines with him later that year, and the pair bought a house off-base. The couple had 2 children: Andrew Paul Matthews (August 1st, 1980-present) and Gabriel Sean Matthews (January 19th, 1982-February 7th, 1998). Alec was as good a father as he could manage, far better than his own father had been, and the family was happy.

By 1987, his tenth year in the Corps, Alec had been promoted to E-7, a Gunnery Sergeant.

In 1990, the battalion was mobilized and sent to Camp Lejune, to train for Operation Desert Storm. They were deployed to Saudi Arabia, and shortly thereafter, Echo Company was deployed to Ras al Mishab, while Alec's platoon became involved in the fighting in Ras al Khadijah. Gunnery Sergeant Matthew's took a bullet to the leg during the fighting, an injury that still pains him at times, but led his men through the combat capably. For the rest of Desert Storm, Matthews and his fellows provided security to various high-risk targets and processed massive numbers of POWs.

In 1993, Linda revealed to Alec that she'd had an affair with a neighbor, and she wanted a divorce so she could be with him. Alec fought and lost for his marriage, but was able to keep custody of his sons, due to Linda not wanting to raise them after cheating on their father.

He chose not to reenlist, and separated from the Marines. He moved back to Maine--not his native Bangor, but Portland--and became a firefighter with PFD, living with his sons. His relationship with Andrew was combative during this time, as the boy was just hitting puberty when his life was ripped apart and he was dragged a thousand miles from Des Moines, his home. Eventually, the bonds were repaired, but many things were said in the heat of many moments that still lurk beneath the surface.

In 1995, Alec met Isabelle Dunning, a waitress at a restaurant he frequented. She was 8 years his junior, and they were smitten with each other. After dating for 8 months, they married--a move supported by the more-mature Andrew, who liked Isabelle a lot, and by Gabe, a generally happy kid.

In 1997, Isabelle and Alec had their first child, Breanna Jeanne Matthews (May 10th, 1997-present).

Gabriel took his driver's license test on February 6th, 1998, liberating himself from being driven to school by Andrew. Alec helped him buy a shitty beater car, and the next day--a snowy, beautiful morning--he took off for school.

He never made it.

En route, Gabriel lost control of the vehicle due to the wintry conditions. He collided head-on with another vehicle, killing himself and the driver of the other car.

Alec was destroyed. He took up drinking, blaming himself for his son's death, for Gabe driving on that stormy day. He isolated himself for long periods of time, focused solely on his work. It took an intervention from his stepfather to help set him right, as well as endless, still-going hours of counseling.

Later that year, his surviving son, Andrew, joined the Marines out of high school. Alec was beyond proud of Andrew, although he worried for the boys safety.

In 2000, Alec and Isabelle had their second child, Michael Kenneth Matthews (October 20th, 2000-present). Alec wanted to name him Gabriel, or make that his middle name, but Isabelle shot him down. Cracks had begun to grow in their relationship, cracks which only widened after 9/11. Alec despaired for Andrew, fearing he'd be killed fighting a war of revenge against the terrorists. The War on Terror, combined with the PATRIOT Act, were what pushed Alec away from the GOP for good, and in 2004 he voted Democrat for the first time. The political fractures were one of many differences that had grown between Alec and Isabelle during their marriage, and they were divorced in 2002. Isabelle won custody of their children, although Alec still has a close relationship with both of them.

In 2004, dissatisfied with the performance of the Portland City Council, Alec ran for office for the first time, and was elected to one of the City Council At-Large Districts. He ran as an independent, focused on better pensions for municipal employees, improving the roads and schools in the city, better funding for municipal healthcare, and better policing to fight crime in low-income neighborhoods.

During his time in the Fire Department, Alec had become more appreciative of the local Firefighter's Union (another factor in his movement to the left, despite not actually being a member), and with his position on the city council, he was able to fight
to secure a significant increase in pensions for firefighters, and started a program to hire more military veterans for law enforcement and firefighting services in Portland. Not all of his proposals were passed, but he did get increased benefits for the families of retired or injured law enforcement and firefighters passed by a unanimous vote.

In 2008, Alec, pushed by his friends and son, decided to run in the Democratic primary for Maine's first district. Due to the seat's heavily Democratic lean, the primary was essentially the general, and Alec took on the incumbent Congressman in a long, dirty fight. He accused the incumbent of being disconnected from the district, of being owned by Washington interests and corporate executives, while portraying himself as a salt-of-the-Earth, down-home guy, a veteran and a firefighter, a father who had lost a son tragically. He played up his progressive economic stances, developed over years as a union-ajacent fireman, and barely won the primary. He coasted to victory in the general, outperforming Baharia by 2 points due to crossover Republican support.

Alec has been reelected five times (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018), and currently serves as Maine's only Congressional Democrat, making him something of a powerbroker in the state's Democratic politics. He voted with 99% of Baharia's agenda, and has generally kept his head down in Congress, aside from his occasional clashes with the establishment when it comes to his constant votes against gun control, his initial resistance to gay marriage (although he supported civil unions), and his support for Medicare for All. He has also faced several more establishment-friendly or socially progressive primary challengers, and nearly lost his first reelection, but has otherwise always come out on top. He's also well-known in his district for being easy to contact, with the Congressman frequently personally answering calls and emails from constituents.

Alec has voted for all Democratic legislation this session, as well as the Doggies for Veterans Act and the Iran Sanctions Act.

In June 2019 he announced he was "considering" a run for Senate in 2020, although he did praise not-Collins for her bipartisanship and connection with Maine voters. At the same time, he endorsed Senator Murphy for President, saying that "[Murphy] has the best economic policies and plans for America and for Maine."

Other Info:
Ideology

-Immigration: No wall, but we need better enforcement and a more humane and efficient system. Supports working with Central and South American nations to improve conditions for immigrants at home. Does not want to dissolve ICE but significantly reform it.

-The environment: A balance needs to be struck between long-term livability and current prosperity. Matthews supports the idea of the Green New Deal but wants to make sure industries like timber and fishing are protected. American oil sources should be used while we work to transition to a green energy economy.

-Foreign Relations: Matthews believes in a generally non-interventionist policy, except in cases of genocide or human rights abuses, or an attack on the USA. He wants to cut ties with brutal regimes like Saudi Arabia, and supports a 2-state-solution in Israel, as well as sanctions on North Korea, Iran, and Turkey. He thinks China is the biggest geopolitical threat to America and needs to be handled somehow.

-Policing: Matthews tries to strike a balance between the need for law enforcement and the demands of protestors and activists. He supports community-based policing, and is working on writing legislation to make a 2-year law and civil rights degree mandatory to become a LEO, saying that it will improve the situation for police and communities. Overall he supports law enforcement.

-Healthcare: Medicare for All, now.

-Worker's Rights: Strongly pro-union, especially in the public sector.

Committee and Caucus Memberships

-House Agriculture Committee
- House Conservation and Forestry Committee
- House Appropriations Committee
- House Education and Labor Committee
- House Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee (Chair)

---

- Army Caucus
- Blue Collar Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Coastal Communities Caucus
-

Presidential votes

1980-Reagan
1984-Reagan
1988-Burke
1992-Burke
1996-Not-Dole
2000-Baby Burke
2004-Not-Kerry
2008-Baharia
2012-Baharia
2016-Baginski in the primary, Clifford in the general

I have read and accept the rules of the roleplay: no.

Do Not Remove:

[Kargintina the Third]

Aye finally it’s back

[Bruke]

(Image)

---

Character Information Sheet

NS Nation Name: Lavan Tiri

Character Name: Alexander Lawrence "Alec" Matthews

Character Gender: Male

Character Age: 60--born July 4th, 1959

Character Height: 6'4

Character Weight: 190 pounds

Character Position/Role/Job:
- Representative for Maine's 1st Congressional District (since 2008)
- President of IAFF Local 740 (2005-2008)
- Portland Fire Department Firefighter (1993-2005)
- United States Marine Corps Infantry (1977-1993)

Appearance: Nicolas Cage

Character State of Origin: Maine

Character State of Residence: Maine

Character Party Affiliation:
- Republican (1977-2001)
- Independent (2001-2003)
- Democratic (since 2003)

Main Strengths:
- Blue-collar background and union work, plus military service
- Masculine image and personality appeals to Republicans and conservative independents
- Strong progressive policies, especially economically, endear him to blue-collar workers and the Baginski-Murphy wing of the party
- Safe Democratic district
- Has never taken money from Super PACs or fundraising organizations, instead running a grassroots campaign funded by individual contributions.

Main Weaknesses:
- Linked with the more wealthy, urban 1st District, which could hurt his popularity in rural or less wealthy areas.
- Evolving social views and political positions can be used to paint him as a flip-flopper
- Friction with the younger, diverse progressive wing of the party, due to being an old white guy and some of his views
- Tendency to be blunt, crass, and rude.
- Friction with anti-gun Democrats
- His tendency to buck the party and vote his conscience no matter what hasn't made him the most popular with leadership at times.
- Was a Republican for most of his life
- Multiple divorces.

Biography: Matthews was born in Bangor, Maine, on Independence Day in 1959, to Edward Alexander Matthews, (1930-1962) a Korean War veteran and police officer, and his second wife, Jeanne Charlotte Matthews, nee Lewis (1937-present) a homemaker. Alec was the 6th of 8 children Edward had with a total of 3 women--he had been married to Laurie Schrader from 1950-1952 and had two daughters, Andrea Ruth (1950-2016) and Gillian Roberta (1951-present), before Laurie died in a car crash in 1952 while pregnant with their third child. In 1955, Edward married Jeanne in a shotgun wedding, and between 1955 and 1960 they had five children: Edward Alexander Matthews, jr. (1955-1997); Paul Richard Matthews (1957-2009), Isabelle Marie Matthews (1957-present), Alec (1959-present), and Sean Thomas Matthews (1960-present).

Life in the Matthews household was turbulent--Edward was stricken with PTSD from his military service, and took it out in physically, emotionally, and verbally violent ways on his wife and children, often beating them and on occasion neglecting to feed the children. Jeanne had to rely on the kindness of neighbors and friends to get by many times, and would frequently take the children to her parents' home to get them away from Edward. Alec has few memories of his father, however, since Edward died when he was 3--while Jeanne was at her parents' with the children, he shot himself in the head. His body was found two days later when the family returned home.

Jeanne, as a single widow with 7 children to raise, took up a job working at the courthouse as a stenographer. She held that job from 1962 until her retirement in 2007 at age 70. In 1966, she married Andrew Black (1932-2017), a science teacher at Bangor High School. Black has been the only father Alec has known for his entire life--a kinder, gentler man than Edward Matthews, to be sure.

Alec was an entirely average student in high school, but a highly-skilled and regarded football player. When he graduated in 1977, he was courted by several colleges with athletic scholarships, but he'd decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, in order to get out of Maine and see some of the world.

Alec left basic training as a Lance Corporal, and was assigned to the Echo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, based out of Des Moines. He was noted for his natural command skills and willingness to do ugly, dirty, and awful jobs without grumbling or complaint.

In 1978, on a Christmas visit home to Bangor, Alec married his high school sweetheart, Linda McDonald. She moved to Des Moines with him later that year, and the pair bought a house off-base. The couple had 2 children: Andrew Paul Matthews (August 1st, 1980-present) and Gabriel Sean Matthews (January 19th, 1982-February 7th, 1998). Alec was as good a father as he could manage, far better than his own father had been, and the family was happy.

By 1987, his tenth year in the Corps, Alec had been promoted to E-7, a Gunnery Sergeant.

In 1990, the battalion was mobilized and sent to Camp Lejune, to train for Operation Desert Storm. They were deployed to Saudi Arabia, and shortly thereafter, Echo Company was deployed to Ras al Mishab, while Alec's platoon became involved in the fighting in Ras al Khadijah. Gunnery Sergeant Matthew's took a bullet to the leg during the fighting, an injury that still pains him at times, but led his men through the combat capably. For the rest of Desert Storm, Matthews and his fellows provided security to various high-risk targets and processed massive numbers of POWs.

In 1993, Linda revealed to Alec that she'd had an affair with a neighbor, and she wanted a divorce so she could be with him. Alec fought and lost for his marriage, but won custody of his sons.

He chose not to reenlist, and separated from the Marines. He moved back to Maine--not his native Bangor, but Portland--and became a firefighter with PFD, living with his sons. His relationship with Andrew was combative during this time, as the boy was just hitting puberty when his life was ripped apart and he was dragged a thousand miles from Des Moines, his home. Eventually, the bonds were repaired, but many things were said in the heat of many moments that still lurk beneath the surface.

In 1995, Alec met Isabelle Dunning, a waitress at a restaurant he frequented. She was 8 years his junior, and they were smitten with each other. After dating for 8 months, they married--a move supported by the more-mature Andrew, who liked Isabelle a lot, and by Gabe, a generally happy kid.

In 1997, Isabelle and Alec had their first child, Breanna Jeanne Matthews (May 10th, 1997-present).

Gabriel took his driver's license test on February 6th, 1998, liberating himself from being driven to school by Andrew. Alec helped him buy a shitty beater car, and the next day--a snowy, beautiful morning--he took off for school.

He never made it.

En route, Gabriel lost control of the vehicle due to the wintry conditions. He collided head-on with another vehicle, killing himself and the driver of the other car.

Alec was destroyed. He took up drinking, blaming himself for his son's death, for Gabe driving on that stormy day. He isolated himself for long periods of time, focused solely on his work. It took an intervention from his stepfather to help set him right, as well as endless, still-going hours of counseling.

Later that year, his surviving son, Andrew, joined the Marines out of high school. Alec was beyond proud of Andrew, although he worried for the boys safety.

In 2000, Alec and Isabelle had their second child, Michael Kenneth Matthews (October 20th, 2000-present). Alec wanted to name him Gabriel, or make that his middle name, but Isabelle shot him down. Cracks had begun to grow in their relationship, cracks which only widened after 9/11. Alec despaired for Andrew, fearing he'd be killed fighting a war of revenge against the terrorists. The War on Terror, combined with the PATRIOT Act, were what pushed Alec away from the GOP for good, and in 2004 he voted Democrat for the first time. The political fractures were one of many differences that had grown between Alec and Isabelle during their marriage, and they were divorced in 2002. Isabelle won custody of their children, although Alec still has a close relationship with both of them.

During his time in the Fire Department, Alec had become more appreciative of and engaged in the local Firefighter's Union (another factor in his movement to the left), and in 2005, he was elected President of IAFF Local 740. He used his position to lobby the Portland City Council and state legislators to increase pay and pensions for fightfighters, as well as expanded benefits for their spouses and children in case a firefighter died on the job. He also kept very involved in the community, doing endless outreach and community events.

In 2008, Alec, pushed by his friends and son, decided to run in the Democratic primary for Maine's first district. Due to the seat's heavily Democratic lean, the primary was essentially the general, and Alec took on the incumbent Congressman in a long, dirty fight. He accused the incumbent of being disconnected from the district, of being owned by Washington interests and corporate executives, while portraying himself as a salt-of-the-Earth, down-home guy, a veteran and a firefighter, a father who had lost a son tragically. He played up his progressive economic stances, developed over years in the IAFF, and barely won the primary. He coasted to victory in the general, outperforming Baharia by 2 points due to crossover Republican support.



Other Info:

I have read and accept the rules of the roleplay: (Your Nation's Name Here)

Do Not Remove:

This is my app for Matthews so far.

Hmm

[Sanabel]

Union leaders are so over represented

[Bruke]

Union leaders are so over represented

Oh, among characters overall. Well, it’s a good way to highlight solidarity with the working class, I suppose.

Would be better to have some kind of community organizer background instead? Could serve a similar role depending on what a character was organizing about.

[Kargintina the Third]

Callahan simps for Dayton